Pressure-regulator.



W. G. MILLER.

PRESSURE REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2?, 1915.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I;

INVENTOH, 14/. G. MH/e l",

' ATTORNEY WILLIAM G. IvIILLER, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

PRESSURE-REGULATOR.

' Specification of Letters Patent. I

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.,

Application filed May 2'7, 1915. Serial No. 30,769.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM G. MILLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri,have invented certain new .form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to pressure regulators, and more particularly to adevice of this character which is interposed in a gas line for thepurpose of reducing pressure of the gas delivered from a high pressuresupply, so that it may be utilized at a materially less pressure at theopposite side of the regulator; the specific use of the gas at the lowerpressure being immaterial as the device is capable of association withany of a number of gas using devices or apparatus.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide aregulator of this char acter to which the admission of the gas from ahigh pressure supply is controlled by a valve, preferably of the needletype, and wherein the valve is under control of float mechanism that maybe adjusted to balance at predetermined levels for various pressures.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of thischaracter whereby gas under high pressure may be admitted to theregulator and delivered therefrom under lower pressures, varying from afraction of an ounce to any pressure less than that under which the gasis admitted from the sup- P In accomplishing these and other objects ofthe invention T have provided improved details of structure, thepreferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein Figure I is a perspective view of a pres sure regulatorconstructed according to my invention.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the same.

Fig. 111 isa vertical section on the line III-III, Fig. IV.

Fig. IV is a vertical section on the line 1VIV, Fig. III.

Fig. V is a detail view of a valve-seat plug.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 and 2 respectively designate intake and float chambers, preferablyconsisting of glass cylinders arranged adjacent each other, and seatedat their upper and lower ends in grooves 33, H in the base and topplates 5-6 respectively, with the grooves packed to seal the chambersand prevent the escape of the gas under regulation or of float liquid;the base and top plates being con nected and held to the cylinders bybolts, or the'like, 7, that extend through the plate flanges 89, outsideof the cylinders.

The top plate 6 has a boss 11 thereon rising above the adjacentcylinders 1-2, and provided with a vertical bore 12 that communicateswith a channel 13 leading into the top of the chamber 1; the lower endof the bore 12 being screw-threaded to carry a plug 14 having a channel15 opening into the up per portion of the bore and having a downwardlyopening tapered valve seat 16 open ing into channels 13 and 15. Thethreaded part of the bore is preferably tapered and the plug 14correspondingly shaped to fit its seat; the preferred construction beingthat wherein the plug extends across the channel 13 and seats within asocket 17 in the boss at the bottom of the channel.

With this last named construction, the plug 14: is provided with adiameter port or bore 19, intersecting the valve seat bore, in line withport 13; so that gas admitted through the plug may pass from said port13 directly into the chamber 1. The top of the bore 12 may be sealed bya cap plug 20, and opening into a bore 21, between the cap and valveplugs, is a connection 22 for a supply pipe (not shown) which may leadto any source of high pressure gas supply.

Extending downwardly between the intake and float chambers, andpreferably formed integral with the top plate 6, is a standard 23 thelower end of which is preferably enlarged and extends through an opening24 in the bottom plate 5; the bottom plate being preferably providedwith a depending ring 25 that is spaced from the lower end of thestandard to receive packing 26 and the lower end of the standard beingscrew-threaded to carry a gland 27, Whereby the packing is compressed toform a seal about the standard and prevent escape of the float liquid orgas.

The bottom of the standard contains a socket 28, and depending from thestandard is an arm 29 having a slot 30 therein through which a beam 31is projected and pivotally mounted on a pin 32 that is carried by thearm and extends across the slot.

Pivotally mounted on the beam 31 is a link 33 which extends upwardlyinto the socket 28 and connects with the lower end of a valve stem 34,which is slidably mounted in a channel 35 that extends through thestandard and boss 11 and into the valve plug 14; the upper end of theplug having a needle point 36 that is adapted to seat in the taperedvalve seat 16 and stop the flow of high pressure gas from the supply tothe chamher 1.

The beam 31 is inclosed by a housing 37 that is preferably formedintegral with the bottom plate 5 and comprises a depending ring havingan inturned flange 38 forming a central bottom opening 39, through whichaccess may be had to the beam; the opening 39 being normally closed by aplate 40 which may be attached to the bottom of the flange 38 by screws41, and is preferably provided with a guide lip 42 that lies along theedge of the flange to properly place the plate.

The plate is also provided with a drain aperture 43, and carries a cook44 whereby the aperture is closed to seal the chamber, or opened whenthe latter is to be drained.

Opening through the bottom plate 5, adjacent the ring 37, are ports 45and 46 that communicate respectively with the regulator chambers 1 and2, so that the ring and its plate not only constitute a chamber forinclosing the regulator beam but also form a connecting chamber betweenthe main regulator chambers 1 and 2.

One end of the beam extends beneath the port 46 and pivotally connectedwith that end of the beam, by a link 48, is a float rod 49 which extendsupwardly into the chamber 2 and has a threaded upper end 50 for carryinga float 51, of any ordinary type, but preferably comprising a centralcolumn 52, hav inn interior screw threads for cotiperating with thethreaded rod 49 to adjust the float to desired elevations along the rod,for a purpose presently described.

'The float is guided in its vertical recip rocation by a post 53 whichis fixed to the top of the float and extends into a closed guide pocket54 that is removably mounted on the top plate 6, preferably by means ofa screw-threaded shank 55; the diameter of the pocket being greater thanthat of the post, and the end of the post being provided with a ball 56which wipes the inner surface of the pocket to firmly guide the postwith a minimum of lost motion and friction.

By removably mounting the pocket 54 on the top plate 6 it may not onlyserve as a guide for the float post but may be removed to expose thepost, so that the latter may be turned to adjust the float on itsscrewthreaded rod 49 to determine the level within the float chamber atwhich the float will rise and actuate the intake control valve; theprincipal regulation of the valve being effected, however, by a weight57 which is slidably mounted on the opposite end of the beam 31 andfixed in adjusted position on the beam by a set screw 58; it beingapparent that the float may be adjusted by the balance weight when theregulator is assembled, and that any future adjustment may be easily andquickly effected by means of the float )ost. V

1 An outlet from the intake chamber 1 is effected through a port 59 on avalve body 60 that is mounted on the top plate 6 and provided with a tip61 to which a pipe may be attached, the said body being preferablyequipped with a dial 62 upon which the outlet pressure may be read.

The flow of gas through the port 59 and tip 61 is controlled by a needlevalve 63 provided with a pointer 64 for indicating the volume ofdischarge.

In order to prevent mixture of gas under regulation with the floatliquid I prefer ably locate a free float 63 in the intake chamber 1, soit may ride on the liquid and form a partition between the gas andliquid compartments; it being apparent that when gas is admitted to theupper portion of the chamber under sufficient pressure to overcome thatof the liquid, the float will be forced downwardly onto the liquid, butthat the packing in the float will prevent escape of gas to the lowerportion of the chamber and obviate its mixture with the float liquid. Itis quite apparent, however, that while the presence of the free floatmay be advantageous with the regulation of some gases, it is unnecessarywith others, as the pressure of the gas directly on the liquid. willhave the same regulating eflect.

In order to increase the range of the regulator so that gas may bedelivered therefrom at a pressure varying but slightly from that of thesupply, I provide a supplemental chamber 65 which is mounted on the topplate 6 and opens into the float chamber 2; this supplemental chamberpreferably comprising a glass tube bearing at its opposite ends againstthe plates 66 and 67, which are 7 held together and to the ends of thetube by elongated bolts 68 to form an air-tight seal at the top of thetube; the top plate 67 being provided with a cook 69 whereby air withinthe tube may be released from the tube to relieve the pressure withinthe float chamber.

In describing the use of the regulator we will presume that the partsare constructed and assembled as described, and the regulator connectedwith a high pressure gas supply and with a device for utilizing the gasunde pressure lower than that in the supply. Vie will also presume thatthe chambers contain float liquid that will support the regulating andpartition floats at pre determined levels, and that the float has beenpositioned on the rod 50 to insure its rising only when the float liquidhas reached a predetermined level in the chamber 2.

Under these conditions, and prior to the admission or high pressure gasto the regulator, the weight of the regulating float will hold the armof the beam that is connected with the valve stem downwardly, so thatthe needle valve is open to admit gas to the inta to on rub-er. W henthe gas is turned on by manual control (not shown) it flows into theintake chamber through the open valve and expands, so that its pressureis materially reduced. Continued intake of the gas, however, develops apressure on the free float within said chamber that forces the floatdownwardly onto the liquid in the bottom of the chamber 1; thedisplacement of the liquid carrying same through the housing 37 into thechamber 2 and lifting the float 51. As the float 51 rises it lifts thebeam 31 and valve stem 8% until the needle valve 36 closes the intakeport 15 cutting oil the supply of high pressure gas. When the supply iscut oil, the gas in the chamber 1 is relieved through the outlet 59, andas the gas passes oil through the outlet the pressure is taken from thetop of the float 63 and the float liquid tends to rise and seek itslevel in the intake chamber. As the level of the liquid lowers in thechamber 2 the float 5i drops and opens the valve so that the highpressure may again flow into the intake chamber.

It is apparent that when the regulator is first brought into use theparts will fluctuate to open and close the valve, but that after a shorttime a constant position of the valve is assumed that will admit acontinuous flow of high pressure gas in such a restricted quantity as toconstantly feed the low pressure device.

When the supply to the low pressure device is to be varied, the needlevalve 63 is moved to increase or decrease the area of the valve openingto the degree indicated by the pointer 64. This variation in the supplyto the low pressure device requires automatic regulation of the intakevalve through the float mechanism.

Vfhen it is desired to use the gas at low pressure, the unbalancedlevels of the liquid alone are depended upon for the regulation, and thecook 69 on the supplemental cham ber 65 is open so that liquid inchamber 2 is exposed to atmospheric pressure.

If gas is to be used at high pressure the cock 69 is closed so that whenthe float liquid rises in the chamber 2 it does so against pressure ofthe contained air. As gas is admitted to the intake chamber the floatliquid is displaced and tends to rise in the float chamber. its theliquid rises in the float chamber it is resisted by the contained airand must compress the air in order to gain a level where it will liftthe float and shut ofl the supply to the intake chamber.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, anddesire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

l. A regulator comprising an intake control valve, a pivotally mountedbeam operatively connected with the valve, a rod on said beam, a floathaving threaded mounting on the rod, and a weight on said beam forcounterbalancing the float.

2. A regulator comprising an intake control valve, lever mechanism foractuating the valve, a float adjustably mounted on the lever mechanism,a post on said float extending to the exterior of the regulator, and

pocket removably mounted on the regulator and normally inclosing theprojected portion of said post.

3. regulator comprising an intake control valve, lever mechanism foractuating the valve, a float adjustably mounted on the lever mechanism,a post on said float extending to the exterior of the regulator andhaving a guide ball at its free end, and a pocket removably mounted onthe regulator and having interior guidin contact with the float postball.

4:. A regulator comprising separate in take and float chambers and asupply conduit leading to the top of the intake chamher, a conduitconnecting the lower portions of said chambers, a valve seat in thesupply conduit, a beam pivotally mounted in the connecting conduit, avalve rod connected with said beam and having a head cooperating withthe valve seat to control supply to the intake chamber, a float rod onsaid beam projected into the float chamher, and a float adjustablymounted on said rod.

5. A regulator comprising separate intake and float chambers and asupply conduit leading to the top of the intake chamher, a conduitconnecting the lower portions of said chambers, a valve seat in thesupply conduit, a beam pivotally mounted in the connecting conduit, avalve rod connected with said beam and having a head cooperating withthe valve seat to control supply to the intake chamber, a float rod onsaid beam projected into the float chamber, a float adjustably mountedon said rod, a post on said float extending to the exterior of theregulator, and a pocket removably mounted on the regulator and inclosingand guiding the float.

6. A regulator comprising separate intake and float chambers and asupply conduit leading to the top of the intake cham- &

her, a conduit connecting the lower portions of said chambers, a valveseat in the supply conduit, a beam pivotally mounted in said connectingconduit, a valve rod connected with said beam and having a headcooperating with the valve seat to control supply to the intake chamber,a float rod on said beam projected into the float chamber, a floatadjustably mounted on said rod, and a counter-balancing weight on saidbeam.

7. A regulator comprising separate intake and float chambers, a topplate inclosing the upper ends of said chambers and comprising intakeand delivery port conduits leading to and from the upper portion of theintake chamber, a bottom plate inclosing the lower ends of said chambersand having openings therefrom, adepending housing on said plateinclosing the open ings and having an opening in its lower part, aremovable cap normally closing the housing opening, a valve seat in theintake. conduit, a valve stem having a head at one end for cooperatingwith said seat, and having its opposite end projected into said housing,a beam pivotally mounted in said housing and connected with the valvestem, a rod on said beam projecting into the float chamber, and a floatadjustably mounted on said rod.

8. In a regulator comprising an intake control valve, a float chamber, afloat in said chamber operatively connected with said valve, and asupplemental chamber having open communication with said float chamberand having a valve controlled opening leading to atmosphere, for thepurpose set forth.

9. In a regulator comprising an intake control valve, a float chamber, afloat in .said chamber operatively connected with said valve, asupplemental air pressure chamber opening into the float chamber abovethe float, and a valve for controlling pressure in said supplementalchamber.

10. The combination with separate intake and float chambers and a supplyto the intake chamber, connection between the intake and float chambers,lever mechanism in said connection, a valve operatively connected withsaid lever mechanism and adapted for controlling the supply to theintake chamber, a float in said float chamber operatively connected withsaid lever mechanism, and a supplemental chamber opening to the floatchamber above the float.

11. The combination with separate intake and float chambers havingsuitable connection, of means for supplying fluid to the intake chamber,a float in the; float chamber, a valve for cont-rolling flow of fluidfrom said supply means to the intake chamber, lever mechanism connectedwith said float and said valve, and a supplemental chamber opening tothe upper portion of the float chamber, whereby raising of the float byfluid passed to the float chamber from the intake chamber is facilitatedby exhaust of air from the float chamber to the supplemental ehamber tolessen resistance of the float and permit closing movement of the valve.

12. Thecombination with separate intake and float chambers havingsuitable connection, of means for supplying fluid to the intake chamber,a float in the float chamber, a valve for controlling flow of fluid fromsaid supply means to the intake chamber, lever mechanism connected withsaid float and said valve, a supplemental chamber opening to the upperportion of the float chamber, whereby raising of the float by fluidpassed to the float chamber from the intake chamber is facilitated byexhaust of air from the float chamber to the supplemental chamber tolessen resistance to the float and permit closing movement of the valve,and a valve on the supplemental chamber for regulating the escape offluid therefrom.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM G. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

